With the college football season around the corner, it’s time to set our eyes on the next group of NFL hopefuls that could be available next April in the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. In this edition, we’ll take a look at the draft prospects and scouting reports from the MAC.
2023 NFL Draft MAC prospects to know
Ball State Cardinals
Ball State has had just a single player selected in the draft since 2015 — Danny Pinter, a 2020 fifth-round choice of the Indianapolis Colts who is now starting for the team. They could end up with a late-round pick next April.
Amechi Uzodinma II, CB | Grade: 3.26 | Projected Round: FA
Cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II is someone I’ve graded the past three seasons. He looked like a legitimate Day 3 pick early in his Ball State career, yet his game never progressed. He was spotty last season, but when on his game, Uzodinma shuts down opposing receivers.
Jayshon Jackson, WR | Grade: 3.02 | Projected Round: FA and Yo’Heinz Tyler, WR | Grade: 2.85 | Projected Round: FA
Speaking of receivers, Jayshon Jackson and Yo’Heinz Tyler are UDFAs who could fill out a depth chart on Sundays.
Bowling Green Falcons
Receiver Scotty Miller was the last BGSU player selected in the draft, as he was a sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 2019. The program has four players who could be selected in future drafts, and it’s a receiver who leads the way.
Tyrone Broden, WR | Grade: 3.38 | Projected Round: 6
Junior Tyrone Broden is a large, smooth wideout with sure hands. He plays to his size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) while showing a nose for the end zone.
Karl Brooks, DL | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
Defensive lineman Karl Brooks opted to return for a second senior season, and it may work out for him. Brooks is a nice-sized prospect who shows a good deal of athleticism on the field. He’s agile, powerful, and makes plays in all directions. Brooks can line up at defensive tackle and seems to have the strength necessary to be used as a two-gap DE. I presently have a seventh-round grade on him.
Christian Sims, TE | Grade: 3.24 | Projected Round: FA
Tight end Christian Sims had his moments last season and is a solid pass catcher at the position with a good head on his shoulders. Sims is undersized though, and I’m not sure he has the speed teams want in a draftable move tight end.
Davon Ferguson, CB | Grade: 3.02 | Projected Round: FA
Davon Ferguson is a terrific college corner with next-level ball skills. However, his size (under 5-foot-9) limits his appeal. Ferguson possesses enough to line up in dime packages on Sundays.
Buffalo Bulls
Despite putting competitive teams on the field in recent years, it’s been more hit than miss when it comes to the Buffalo Bulls’ prospects in the NFL draft.
James Patterson, CB | Grade: 3.33 | Projected Round: 6
The Bulls’ top prospects can be found on the defensive side of the ball, with James Patterson ranking No. 1 on my board. The twin brother of record-setting running back Jaret Patterson, James is a dominant run defender who displays a great head for the game and a lot of toughness at linebacker. More of a two-down defender, Patterson does not get great depth on pass drops and will likely measure under six feet tall.
Elijah Blades, CB | Grade: 3.18 | Projected Round: FA
Well-traveled cornerback Elijah Blades could be the top prospect from the program and the highest-rated Buffalo Bull since Malcolm Koonce when all is said and done. Blades showed a lot of ability as a freshman at Texas A&M then transferred to Florida in 2021 only to be dismissed from the program. At the top of his game, he’s a nice-sized corner with solid ball skills, but Blades must really get his act together.
Central Michigan Chippewas
CMU had a pair of offensive linemen selected on Day 2 in April. Next year, they may not have a player drafted at all.
Thomas Incoom, EDGE | Grade: 3.27 | Projected Round: 7-FA
If there is a player selected late in the draft, it will be defensive end Thomas Incoom. Athletic and very quick, Incoom consistently finds his way behind the line of scrimmage to make plays. Measuring 6-foot-2 and 261 pounds, he may not have a true position on Sundays.
Lew Nichols III, RB | Grade: 3.15 | Projected Round: FA
Running back Lew Nichols III is a powerful ball carrier who picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact and does not go down without a fight. Nichols also possesses a good amount of short-area quickness. And while he’s a terrific downhill ball carrier, I don’t see enough perimeter speed or versatility in his game to warrant being anything other than a late-round prospect at best.
Joel Wilson, TE | Grade: 3.07 | Projected Round: FA
Joel Wilson is an efficient tight end who catches the ball well, but he comes with average size and speed.
LaQuan Johnson, EDGE | Grade: 3.00 | Projected Round: FA
Edge rusher LaQuan Johnson showed a lot of potential in 2019, but he has watched his game level off and isn’t much of a factor on the field.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan has a handful of prospects on the cusp of being late-round picks. It’s a promising sign for a program that has had just three players drafted since 2010.
Marcellus Johnson, CB | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
Left tackle Marcellus Johnson is someone who really impressed me last season. He’s a nimble blocker with excellent feet and solid mechanics. Johnson may not have the size to stay at left tackle, but he possesses enough ability to get consideration as a zone-blocking guard.
Jose Ramirez, EDGE | Grade: 3.26 | Projected Round: FA
Jose Ramirez chose to return for a second senior season and could move into the middle part of the draft’s third day with a big season. Ramirez is a tough pass rusher who is used out of a three-point stance and standing over tackle. I like him much better in the latter role, as he was dominant against Ohio last season when he almost exclusively stood over tackle.
Tanner Knue, WR | Grade: 3.12 | Projected Round: FA
Receiver Tanner Knue is a surehanded wideout who plays smart football. Knue runs terrific routes and catches everything thrown in his direction. His 40-yard dash times will dictate whether he gets drafted.
Samson Evans, RB | Grade: 3.11 | Projected Round: FA
Running back Samson Evans is a nice-sized ball carrier with excellent strength and underrated speed. He’s a terrific short-yardage back with a nose for the end zone, but he must round out his game.
Sidy, Sow | Grade: 2.95 | Projected Round: FA
Unlike Johnson, guard Sidy Sow has great size — probably too much of it. Sow is someone who caught my eye as a sophomore, but he’s shown limited improvement and has gotten very large. Yet, when he’s on his game, Sow can be a dominant force.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State has just two players in the NFL and has not had a player drafted since 2014. The latter won’t change anytime soon.
At best, KSU has PFAs and UDFAs on the depth chart. Safeties C.J. Holmes and Nico Bolden flash ability and come with nice size, but they must consistently play at a high level. Antwaine Richardson caught my eye when he was a junior at Maryland in 2018, but he has done little since.
Miami RedHawks
The Miami senior class is underwhelming, but the depth chart possesses two underclassmen to keep an eye on.
Brett Gabbert, QB | Grade: 3.41 | Projected Round: 5
Brett Gabbert is a strong-armed quarterback like his older brother Blaine, and he can make all the throws. While Gabbert is relatively accurate and displays excellent pass placement, he lacks classic quarterback size and consistently stares down targets. The latter must be fixed.
Matthew Salopek, LB | Grade: 3.37 | Projected Round: 6
Matthew Salopek is a safety-sized linebacker who would be a terrific fit in a one-gap system. He’s smart, tough, and flies around the football. Salopek really stands out in pursuit.
Northern Illinois Huskies
NIU is a program on the rise and should consistently compete for the MAC title moving forward. They’ve also put a few quality prospects into the draft recently who are having productive careers in the NFL.
CJ Brown, S | Grade: 3.42 | Projected Round: 5
I see nothing but Day 3 prospects on the roster presently, though I do like junior CJ Brown an awful lot. Brown is a complete safety who displays a lot of toughness against the run and solid cover skills. He’ll come up and take out ball carriers, yet at the same time, he can cover slot receivers down the field. Brown presently carries a fifth-round grade on my board.
Marques Cox, OT | Grade: 3.29 | Projected Round: 7
Left tackle Marques Cox is someone who really impressed me two years ago, but his game has since leveled off. He’s a nimble blocker who is effective in motion, but recently Cox has not shown much toughness in his game and doesn’t block with a nasty attitude.
James Ester, DT | Grade: 3.09 | Projected Round: FA
James Ester could move up draft boards with a big season. He’s a super quick, three-technique tackle who plays with terrific fundamentals and mobility.
Kyle Pugh, LB | Grade: 3.00 | Projected Round: FA
I look forward to the return of linebacker Kyle Pugh, who looked like a legitimate Day 3 prospect in 2019 before COVID and injuries interrupted his career. He previously showed a lot of speed and explosion as well as a great head for the ball.
Toledo Rockets
Toledo had two players selected in April’s draft and a bunch of UDFAs signed afterward. The Rockets’ 2023 class will probably be all UDFAs, though there’s a lot of underrated talent on the roster.
Linebacker Dyontae Johnson and defensive linemen Jamal Hines, Devan Rogers, Desjuan Johnson, and Nate Givhan have all flashed ability the past three seasons. They could all move into the late rounds with big senior campaigns.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
From the ranks of the underclassmen, corner Quinyon Mitchell flashes a lot of next-level ability. He possesses solid ball skills, has a physical game, and has NFL size.
Western Michigan Broncos
WMU had a receiver selected in the second round in each of the past two drafts. They may be hard-pressed to have a single player chosen next April, though several Broncos could break into the late rounds if they improve their games.
Offensive lineman Dylan Deatherage and running back La’Darius Jefferson are a pair of super seniors with futures in the NFL.
Jacob Gideon, OL | Grade: 3.29 | Projected Round: 7
Redshirt sophomore Jacob Gideon is a legitimate next-level prospect for the future. He’s a nasty blocker with a nice build who can block on the move and dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage.
Sean Tyler, RB | Grade: 3.28 | Projected Round: 7
If there is one WMU player who’ll be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s running back Sean Tyler. Small but exceptionally quick, Taylor is a creative back who catches the ball well out of the backfield.
Corey Crooms, WR | Grade: 3.18 | Projected Round: FA
Corey Crooms is a quick wideout with decent vertical speed and solid hands. He’s got a slight build and must now prove he can be the team’s No. 1 wideout with Skyy Moore moving on to the NFL.
Braden Fiske, DT | Grade: 3.18 | Projected Round: FA
Braden Fiske is a tall, explosive defensive tackle who beats opponents off the snap and makes plays in every direction. He’s a lean front-line defender who’ll have to get bigger and stronger to play on Sundays.